Fathi M. A. Ahmed Gains First-Hand Experience as Bassiouni-Chaired Commission Translator Amid Unrest in Bahrain

Manama, Bahrain, 23 November 2011

Fathi M. A. Ahmed’s participation in translating the final report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) into Arabic represents a significant milestone in Bahrain’s pursuit of accountability following the unrest of 2011. The BICI, established to investigate widespread allegations of human rights violations during the February and March protests, revealed serious abuses, including police brutality, systemic torture, and unlawful detentions. The final report, which meticulously documented these events, was essential in shedding light on the realities of the unrest and laying the groundwork for future reforms.

Ahmed, along with his co-translator Yasser Taha Amer, was instrumental in translating the 500-page report, drawn from over 9,000 testimonies, into Arabic. The process was both a linguistic and legal challenge, requiring a deep understanding of complex legal terms and the political sensitivities surrounding the events. This translation effort was crucial in making the report accessible to Bahrain’s Arabic-speaking public, ensuring that they could engage with its findings and recommendations. Despite the challenges posed by the politically charged environment and the ongoing unrest, Ahmed and Amer successfully delivered a precise and faithful translation under tight deadlines.

The BICI, chaired by Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, a distinguished legal scholar who had led UN investigations into war crimes in Bosnia and Libya, was described by Amnesty International as an "impressive line-up of independent international experts." The other members of the commission were equally notable: Sir Nigel S. Rodley, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and member of the UN Human Rights Committee; Justice Philippe Kirsch, a former judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC); Dr. Mahnoush Arsanjani, a former UN legal advisor; and Dr. Badria al 'Awadhi, an expert on international and Sharia law from the Freedom House Foundation in Washington, D.C. Their combined expertise lent significant credibility to the commission’s findings.

The translation process involved close collaboration with several key figures, including Philippe Kirsch and Sir Nigel Simon Rodley, as well as prominent legal experts Khaled Ahmed, Mohamed Khalaf, Khaled Serry, and Omar Mekky. These legal experts played an essential role in guiding Ahmed through the complex legal intricacies of the report, ensuring that the translation accurately reflected the findings while remaining sensitive to the local context.

Internationally, the BICI’s work garnered significant acclaim, with human rights organizations, governments, and the global community widely respecting its findings. The commission’s work set a new standard for independent inquiries into human rights violations, and its recommendations played a pivotal role in shaping future investigations and reforms in Bahrain. Notably, the commission’s findings confirmed the Bahraini government's use of systematic torture and other forms of abuse, while rejecting claims that the protests were instigated by foreign actors.

The BICI’s report, often cited as a landmark investigation, continues to serve as a model for other independent inquiries into human rights abuses worldwide. Its influential recommendations called for greater government accountability, restructuring of security forces, and comprehensive investigations into torture allegations.

For Ahmed, his role in translating the report not only contributed to Bahrain’s historical record but also offered him invaluable firsthand experience in working with internationally renowned investigators and legal experts. This collaboration ensured that the Arabic-speaking public had access to the report’s findings, which continue to inform discussions on justice and reform in Bahrain. The translation of the BICI report remains a vital contribution to Bahrain’s journey toward reconciliation, justice, and accountability.

Following Ahmed's successful contribution to the translation of the BICI report, Bassiouni entrusted him with another significant project: the Arabic translation of Bassiouni's landmark book, Crimes Against Humanity: Historical and Contemporary Application. Widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities in international criminal law, Bassiouni’s work stands as a foundational text in the field of international law.

The Arabic translation of the Lexsitus Commentary on the Law of the International Criminal Court (CLICC) was completed between 2021 and 2022 by a dedicated team led by Fathi M. A. Ahmed, the Arabic Translation Team Leader at the Centre for International Law Research and Policy (CILRAP). This achievement follows Fathi Ahmed's earlier successful collaboration with Bassiouni at BICI, where Ahmed translated critical legal documents that received international acclaim. The Lexsitus-CLICC translation is similarly significant, as it provides Arabic-speaking legal professionals, academics, and practitioners access to the Commentary on the Law of the International Criminal Court (CLICC). This translation is essential for fostering a deeper understanding of international criminal law in the Arabic-speaking community and reflects Ahmed's ongoing commitment to enhancing legal accessibility and education in the region.

Building on his extensive fact-finding experience with the BICI and the Lexsitus-CLICC project, Fathi M. A. Ahmed actively participated in other specialized projects in International Criminal Law (ICL). This includes translating the Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine into Arabic, further demonstrating his commitment to making crucial legal documents accessible to Arabic-speaking audiences.

Additionally, Ahmed contributed his expertise to the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM-Syria) by translating documents related to the investigation of serious international crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic. His work focused particularly on crimes perpetrated by Daesh and other non-state actors, providing essential language services that aid in the pursuit of justice for victims of these atrocities. Through these efforts, Ahmed continues to play a role in advancing the field of international criminal law and ensuring that critical information reaches those who need it most.